Judas was accustomed to being an intimate friend of Jesus and having privileged access to Him. Nonetheless, during the most important week in the lives of both Judas and Jesus, Judas dialogued with the chief priests instead of with Jesus. Judas deferred to the chief priests as a higher "authority" than Jesus, handing his loyalty over to the chief priests instead of to Jesus, the Lord of the universe.
Adam and Eve were accustomed to being intimate friends of God in the garden of Eden. They had privileged access to the Lord. Nonetheless, Adam and Eve dialogued in the garden with the serpent (Satan) instead of with God. They deferred to Satan's "authority" over the tree of life rather than God's.
In this holiest of weeks, learn from the mistakes of Adam, Eve, Judas, and a great many people over the centuries. When it comes to the Passion of Christ, you are either with Jesus or against Jesus (Lk 11:23). Give the Lord absolute loyalty over your heart and tongue. Give Jesus your sympathy (Ps 69:21). Dialogue with God and not the forces opposed to Him. Jesus tells each one of us: "Come to Me" (Mt 11:28).
| PRAYER: | Father, be the Lord of my heart and my loyalties. "Keep me faithful to Your teaching and never let me be parted from You." |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced." –Is 50:7 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your constant, never-failing love for me and for all people. I worship You with my life. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College